OpenAI Introduces Locked Chats for ChatGPT Privacy

OpenAI Introduces Locked Chats for ChatGPT Privacy

OpenAI announced a new privacy feature for ChatGPT on Wednesday. Called Locked Chats, it lets users protect select conversations from being viewed by others who may have access to their devices. The San Francisco-based AI company said Locked Chats moves conversations out of the regular chat history and search results. These conversations move into a protected section that requires authentication for access. Users can secure conversations with a four-digit PIN. On supported devices, they can also use biometric authentication.

How Locked Chats Work
On a support page, OpenAI explained that Locked Chats remain saved in the user’s account. However, they stay hidden from regular chat history, pinned chats, and standard conversation search. Users can find such conversations under Projects > Locked chats. To gain access, they need to enter the four-digit account PIN on the web and desktop. Meanwhile, eligible Android and iOS devices also support Face ID, Touch ID, or other forms of biometric authentication.

New messages sent in locked chats will not update the memory used in regular conversations, according to OpenAI. Locking a chat, however, does not remove information ChatGPT remembered before the conversation was locked. Such conversations can also use relevant information from regular Memory if the feature is enabled. Moreover, OpenAI said that instead of end-to-end encryption, Locked Chats aims to bolster privacy with an additional layer. The feature does not change OpenAI’s chat retention policies or the user’s existing setting for whether conversations can be used to improve its models.

How to Lock a Chat
Users can lock a conversation by following these steps. First, open ChatGPT and find the conversation they want to protect. Next, select the three-dot menu next to the chat. Then, select Lock chat and confirm the choice. Finally, create a four-digit account PIN if prompted, or enter an existing PIN. The conversation will move to Projects > Locked chats and disappear from regular chat history and search. To open it later, users can navigate to Locked chats and authenticate with their PIN or a supported device authentication method. The company has warned that resetting a forgotten account PIN will permanently delete all locked chats and content protected only by the previous PIN.

Availability and Limitations
ChatGPT’s Locked Chats feature is rolling out gradually across Free, Go, Plus, Pro, Business, Enterprise, and Edu plans. It is also available through the ChatGPT apps for macOS and Windows desktop platforms. As per OpenAI, some conversation types cannot be locked. These include temporary chats, archived chats, group chats, and chats created from shared links. Further, Locked Chats in Enterprise and Edu workspaces are subject to applicable organisational policies and compliance requirements. Therefore, the feature adds a practical privacy option while maintaining existing account rules.